Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

News

Pol: $11 Smoke Tax Means Terrorists Win

Jaya Saxena

Published Jun 23, 2010

Modified Jun 23, 2010

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Jaya Saxena

Published Jun 23, 2010

Modified Jun 23, 2010

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Despite being furious over the state's new $1.60 tax on cigarettes—which will drive most packs to between $11 and $12 each—smokers say they're not going to let this keep them from enjoying their fix. Jimmy Dece, 19, told the Daily News, "I'll be miserable about buying them for $11, but at least I'll have a cigarette to deal with the problem." Wait, did he just paraphrase Homer Simpson?

One mother said sweet nicotine is the only thing keeping her together some days. "It's the only stress relief I have. [My kids] can be screaming and I can go outside and smoke and have a moment to myself." Though they say that they hope the tax will encourage people to curb their habits, this is probably just the response Albany is looking for. Faced with a $9.2 billion budget deficit, the new tax is expected to bring in $290 million. But one smoker told the Times it shouldn't have come to this. "There have got to be easier ways to raise more money. All the cars coming into Manhattan. Maybe there’s a way to tax that." Ha.

A few did admit that the new tax is the final straw, vowing that they will quit before it goes into effect on July 1st. An East New York cook said yesterday, "This is my last cigarette. Dead serious, this is the last one for me. I can't afford to buy no more cigarettes." But others say they are willing to cross state lines for a cheap pack, which has Bronx state Asssemblyman Michael Benjamin worried. He told the Daily Politics, "Terrorists win when smokers/grocers buy bootleg, untaxed cigarettes. Bootleggers will have an enormous incentive to smuggle untaxed cigarettes into New York. Yesterday's budget action has set plans in motion for those who wish the USA and Israel harm." That's right folks, pay the tax or the terrorists win.

Tagged

budget extender bill

cigarette tax

cigarettes

michael benjamin

smoking

tax

Jaya Saxena

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

How NYC voters could determine outcome of race for governor

The Democratic governor got a startling lesson four years ago in the importance of turnout in New York City.

Jon Campbell

Published Oct 29, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET

Early Addition: Is the Cheesecake Factory vs. the Amtrak buttercake our new culture war?

Because they're raving about the little cake you can only get in first class on select trains, here are your early links: Hunting for Bigfoot is big in New Jersey, the East Village got a kitschy wedding chapel, "Slime Square-42 St," and more.

James Ramsay

News

Early Addition: Is the Cheesecake Factory vs. the Amtrak buttercake our new culture war?

James Ramsay

Brooklyn woman hit and killed by garbage truck at Bay Parkway, NYPD says

Ryan Kost

NY's housing crisis is on the ballot. Here's what the candidates say they'll do about it.

David Brand

Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway is a haven for reckless driving. Mamdani isn't allowed to fix it.

Stephen Nessen

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .